Over time, dirt, dust and other contaminants can wear down and damage flooring. It’s always a great idea to place a decent doormat or rug in front of doorways to catch as much grime as possible from getting into the rooms of your home.

Cleaning vinyl flooring is easy and relatively inexpensive. With consistent and proper care, you can maintain the flooring’s attractive appearance over a long period of time.

You can always use plain hot water and a sponge mop if nothing else. Before doing any wet mopping, you’ll want to vacuum or dry mop the floor to remove surface dirt, dust and hair. Move the furniture; get into the corners and along the baseboards.

A great cleaner for vinyl or laminate flooring is a simple apple cider vinegar mix. The acidity of the vinegar helps take out dirt and grime without leaving a buildup of ingredients. (Mix one cup of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water). Use a damp mop to clean, rinsing the mop frequently with hot water.

To disinfect as you clean, substitute white vinegar for the apple cider vinegar. If your floor is especially dirty, add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to the mixture. Mop once with the soap mixture, a second time with only vinegar and water and then a clean hot water mopping. (To add shine to the flooring add a few drops of baby oil to the vinegar/water solution).

Having a dog in the house can sometime prove challenging for those with new carpet. New puppy’s can be especially difficult since you can’t diaper them like a newborn child. Getting the puppy “house trained” as soon as possible will help save your flooring and relieve your stress level. When pets have “accidents” acting as quickly as possible is priority one. Here at Giant Carpet One Floor & Home we promote the idea of blot, blot, blot and then blot some more.

Here are some steps to cleaning up “messes.” 1) When cleaning up any mess from your carpet blot the excess mess and if necessary scrape it up. 2) Apply a detergent* solution onto a damp towel and blot the messy area with the solution — don’t rub it. 3) Apply White Vinegar** using a damp towel. Again, blotting the area with this solution — don’t rub it. 4) Apply clean water, blotting with a damp sponge or soft cloth. 5) You may also blot the area with a weighted pad of paper towels.

Remember the rule is this: BLOT RATHER THAN RUB. It’s important to blot carpet fibers rather than rub them.

*Detergent solution: Mix ¼ teaspoon of clear, non-bleach, non-lanolin, non-optical brightening dish washing liquid per one cup of warm water. Allow the detergent to remain on the area for eight to ten minutes. Never use automatic dish washing detergents or laundry detergents. **White Vinegar Solution: Mix equal parts vinegar with equal parts water or use undiluted if instructed.